About Herpetic Neuralgia
Key Highlights
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Focuses on managing chronic neuropathic pain from shingles complications.Utilizes a multi-modal approach combining medication, procedures, and therapy.Aims to improve daily function and overall quality of life.Treatment is personalized based on pain severity and patient response.Can involve both non-invasive and minimally invasive interventions.
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistent, burning, stabbing, or aching pain in a band-like area following a shingles outbreak.
- Pain that continues for more than 90 days after the shingles rash has crusted and healed.
- Allodynia (pain from a light touch that shouldn't cause pain) in the affected dermatome.
- Failure to achieve adequate pain relief with first-line oral medications.
- Significant impact on sleep, mood, and daily activities due to nerve pain.
How to prepare
- Detailed neurological examination and assessment of pain history and characteristics.
- Review of previous treatments for shingles and pain management.
- Possible diagnostic tests (e.g., skin biopsy, quantitative sensory testing) to confirm neuropathic pain.
- Discussion of treatment goals, options, and a stepwise management plan with the neurologist.
- Adjustment or tapering of current medications as advised prior to starting new therapies.
- For interventional procedures: fasting instructions and temporary discontinuation of blood thinners as per protocol.
Risks & possible complications
- Side effects from medications: drowsiness, dizziness, weight gain, or dry mouth.
- For nerve blocks or injections: infection, bleeding, bruising, or temporary worsening of pain.
- For spinal cord stimulation: hardware malfunction, lead migration, or infection at implant site.
- Incomplete pain relief or the need for multiple treatment adjustments.
- Potential for drug interactions with new prescriptions.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Medication regimens require careful titration; effects may take several weeks to be fully realized.
- After injection procedures, rest is advised for 24 hours, with gradual return to normal activity.
- Pain diary maintenance to track response and side effects for follow-up consultations.
- Incorporation of physical therapy or gentle exercises to maintain mobility in the affected area.
- Regular follow-up appointments with the neurologist to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan.
- Long-term management focuses on maintaining pain control and preventing flare-ups.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient management) to 1-2 days (for surgical implantation of devices)
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Expected recovery time: Ongoing management; initial treatment adjustment phase 4-8 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering herpetic neuralgia in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for herpetic neuralgia in India include KMC Hospital Mangalore, Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform herpetic neuralgia. MediFyr helps you compare neurologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for herpetic neuralgia compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 5 Thousand – 300 Thousand | 0 days (outpatient management) to 1-2 days (for surgical implantation of devices) | ~ Ongoing management; initial treatment adjustment phase 4-8 weeks | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 17.5 Thousand – 1.05 Million | 0 days (outpatient management) to 1-2 days (for surgical implantation of devices) | ~ Ongoing management; initial treatment adjustment phase 4-8 weeks | Know More |
Top hospitals for Herpetic Neuralgia in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated neurology teams and experience managing patients undergoing herpetic neuralgia.
Emma Brown, a 68-year-old retired librarian,...
Emma Brown, a 68-year-old retired librarian, had a severe case of shingles (herpes zoster) six months ago. The initial rash on her left torso healed, but it left behind a relentless, burning, and stabbing pain that made even the touch of her clothing unbearable. She became isolated, unable to garden or see her grandchildren for fear of a painful hug. Her primary care doctor referred her to a neurologist. The neurologist diagnosed her with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and, after oral medications provided minimal relief, recommended a series of nerve block injections to calm the overactive nerves. Emma was anxious but desperate. The procedure, done under light sedation, was quick. She felt immediate numbness, which gave way over the next 48 hours to a significant reduction in her baseline pain. While not completely pain-free, her pain is now a manageable 2/10 instead of 8/10. Emotionally, she moved from despair and feeling like a burden to one of cautious hope. She can now wear soft clothes, tend to her roses, and carefully hold her granddaughter, reclaiming pieces of her life she thought were lost.
Neurologists for Herpetic Neuralgia
Explore experienced neurologists who regularly perform herpetic neuralgia and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 18 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 46 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurologist
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurologist
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 19 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 26 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 9 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 5 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 3 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 32 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 11 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 7 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 32 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 14 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Neurologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida